Topic
Public Finance
5,915 speeches · 726 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 283 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 229 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 171 |
| 4 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 167 |
| 5 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 153 |
| 6 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 147 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB | 140 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 135 |
| 9 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 115 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 92 |
Speeches
5,915 on this topic- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, speaking during debate on the Budgetary Relief Allowance and National Minimum Wage amendment Bills, urged the Government to address reduced police allowances and proceed with police salary increases. He argued that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery began before the current administration, under the IMF programme and during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidency, and cautioned that tariff and tax impacts on the garment sector could endanger many jobs. He also criticized statements on food imports in an agrarian country and called for practical, legally consistent action on removing encroachments around tanks and coastal zones, beginning with government structures rather than selectively targeting private ones. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the proposed increase in the national minimum wage, placing it in the context of ILO standards, Sri Lanka’s ratification history, and previous wage legislation in 2016, 2021 and 2024. He stated that the monthly minimum wage would rise to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April 2025 and Rs. 30,000 from 1 January 2026, with corresponding daily rates of Rs. 1,080 and Rs. 1,200, affecting EPF/ETF bases and related payments. He acknowledged that Rs. 30,000 was not fully adequate but argued it was the feasible increase under current constraints, with further improvements intended through future economic growth and Budgets. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath said the Government inherited a bankrupt economy but has advanced sovereign and bilateral debt restructuring, continued the IMF programme, and improved external indicators through tourism, remittances, exports, and higher FDI. He stated that the Bills before Parliament would legally raise the private sector minimum monthly wage from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April 2025, with arrears payable, and to Rs. 30,000 from 1 January 2026, while increasing the daily minimum wage and related EPF/ETF contributions. He also noted that plantation workers’ daily wage had been set at Rs. 1,700 through sectoral mechanisms, with further improvements and possible movement toward monthly remuneration to be pursued through wage-board and tripartite processes. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister moved the second reading of three Bills amending the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act and two Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers Acts. He said the Government, following public sector salary increases in Budget 2025 and tripartite discussions through the reactivated National Labour Advisory Council, proposes to raise the private sector monthly minimum wage from Rs. 17,500 to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April 2025 and to Rs. 30,000 from 1 January 2026, with corresponding daily rates of Rs. 1,080 and Rs. 1,200. He explained that the existing Rs. 3,500 budgetary relief allowances would be absorbed into the basic wage rather than removed, and that the Bills are being taken together to expedite delayed implementation despite court-noted sequencing concerns. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised the human-elephant conflict as an urgent matter, citing deaths, property and crop damage, and elephant fatalities amid the absence of a stable response mechanism. He requested data on recent elephant censuses, implementation of the 2020 National Action Plan for mitigation, timelines, five-year human and elephant death figures, compensation criteria and procedures, applicable legal penalties for killing elephants, and the Government’s position on the Animal Welfare Bill. He also asked about Wildlife Conservation Department staffing by region and whether international treatment and rehabilitation models, including partnerships such as Wildlife SOS, would be adopted. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled data on Sri Lanka’s sugar requirement, domestic production, expected 2025 output, and imports, noting annual demand of about 650,000 metric tons and expected 2025 imports of 550,000–600,000 metric tons. He stated that locally produced sugar is subject to 18 per cent VAT and 2.5 per cent SSCL, and that Pelwatte and Sevanagala are currently not profitable from sugar production. The answer also identified risks to direct and indirect employment in the sector and listed measures to increase brown sugar production and reduce imports, including improved cane varieties, farmer incentives, better fertilizer use, training, and modern technology. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for data on Sri Lanka’s annual sugar demand, domestic sugar production in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date, and projected domestic production and imports by the end of 2025. He also sought details on taxes imposed on locally produced sugar, the financial losses of the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories, employment linked to the sugar industry, risks to those jobs, and measures to increase local production and reduce imports. Oral Question: Sugar Demand and Production (Q.10/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku stated that the airport project had been initiated without a proper feasibility study or business plan. He said funds are being allocated only to complete essential remaining work on the partly built runway, with any further decisions to be made next year after a proper feasibility study. Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the Government on the funding timeline for upgrading Hingurakgoda (Minneriya) Airport to international status, noting the estimated Rs. 17 billion cost and the Rs. 2 billion allocated in 2024 for runway work. He asked whether annual capital allocations would remain at Rs. 2 billion, which would delay completion for about ten years, and requested details on the allocation in the current Budget and a firm completion date. Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku provided details of unpaid embarkation levies owed by airlines, stating that the total due was Rs. 27,659 million, with SriLankan Airlines owing the largest share at Rs. 24,655 million, and Aeroflot Russia additionally owing USD 1.5 million. He said CAASL had repeatedly notified the relevant parties and liquidated some bank guarantees, but recovery was constrained because the Civil Aviation Act and Finance Act lacked provisions for legal action. He stated that a Cabinet Paper had been prepared to establish the necessary legal framework for recovery. Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Deputy Minister what steps are being taken to recover approximately Rs. 22 billion in embarkation levy owed by SriLankan Airlines to the Civil Aviation Authority. He noted that the levy is paid by passengers and constitutes government revenue rather than airline income. Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku - Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku tabled details of embarkation tax and related aviation-sector arrears on behalf of the Minister, stating that CAASL was owed Rs. 27.66 billion as at 31 May 2025, mainly by SriLankan Airlines, along with a further USD 1.52 million in CAASL dues. He also provided AASL receivables as at 30 June 2025, including USD 7.42 million and Rs. 13.54 million from international airlines, with SriLankan Airlines accounting for 93 per cent of the USD amount, plus smaller sums from ground handlers and domestic operators. On recovery action, he said CAASL had pursued payments through correspondence, meetings, Finance Ministry notification, encashment of bank guarantees, and final reminders, but the Attorney-General had advised that the Civil Aviation Act lacks provisions to recover such levies following changes made in 2003. Oral Question: Airlines and Aviation Services (Q.8/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns over the delayed recruitment of Sub-Inspectors following a 2024 selection process for 515 posts, noting that candidates had completed examinations, interviews, medicals, and drug tests, with appointments expected in November 2024. He said reports of cancelling the process and issuing a new Gazette would waste public funds and harm candidates who had prepared or left other employment. He urged the Minister to appoint the 100 candidates already identified and, if further recruitment is needed, seek Cabinet approval to recruit an additional 400 rather than restarting the process. Oral Question: Post of Sub-Inspector of Police - Recruitments (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to pursue trade agreements and market-access opportunities, particularly with the US and UK, to retain employment and attract investors to Sri Lanka. He called for tax incentives, removal of para-tariffs, and duty-free measures to complement UK market access, while also safeguarding GSP negotiations and ensuring workers benefit from increased investment. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned why migrant workers’ remittances, cited as USD 784 million from about 2.1 million workers in the previous month, receive only 4–5 percent interest from banks while the Government pays much higher rates on international sovereign borrowings. He asked the Deputy Minister to consider higher returns for remittance earners and to provide duty-free facilities for migrant workers when they return to Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Assurance was given that any additional facts would be examined, particularly in relation to complexities such as fund transfers. The remarks emphasized that investment would not be discouraged, while acknowledging that some projects have stalled due to issues arising during implementation and need to be rescued alongside progressing new projects. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera urged the Government to proceed with the proposed Milleniya Export Processing Zone in Kalutara, noting that 244 acres had already been acquired, surveyed, planned and partly developed for industrial use. He questioned reports of a proposal dated 22 April 2024 to return the land to Horana Plantations under Section 39, despite its earlier acquisition under Section 38, and asked who was responsible and who would benefit. He requested a separate inquiry involving relevant officials, himself and the area Minister, arguing that completing this zone would support the Government’s stated policy of establishing EPZs and avoid wasting public investment. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the proposed Milleniya EPZ involves 166 acres of the 244-acre Neuchattlewatta land in Millaniya, but further progress has been constrained by a pending court case relating to compensation. He said Rs. 91.5 million had been allocated for acquisition, with Rs. 91.2 million already paid, including full payments with interest for 27 of 45 identified parcels among 115 parcels. He added that further provisions have been requested, noted past fund reallocations since 2017, and said the Government would review any changed circumstances, gather accurate information, and proceed with development as soon as possible. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asserted that 244 acres and 20.41 perches intended for development had already been fully acquired under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2113/64 of 08.03.2019, with substantial public funds spent on infrastructure, and rejected claims that acquisition or alienation remained incomplete. He alleged officials were misleading the Minister, noted a prior proposal to return the land to Horana Plantations, and said the related court case concerned only compensation for rubber cultivation on leasehold LRC land. He called on the Minister to take disciplinary action against responsible officials and to resume work on the site. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anil Jayantha stated that land acquisition for the proposed Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone has been temporarily halted pending a Court of Appeal case filed by Horana Plantations PLC. He reported that Rs. 91.2 million has been paid in compensation so far, including payments for 45 of 115 lots acquired for the proposed Palpola interchange, and outlined planned spending for roads, water supply, and electricity. He said the Road Development Authority has prepared plans for the Palpola interchange and Milleniya–Palpola road development, but a decision on proceeding will be taken after the court judgment. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →